hi mum has had a biosy on her  nail 4 weeks ago and we still have had any news....is this good or bad?

Hi,

You can't tell whether it's good or bad news from how long it takes I'm afraid. The current waiting time for results can be anything from 2 to 5 weeks. All biopsies go through the same procedure - they are examined by histology, the report goes back to the consultant and then the results are discussed at a Multi Disciplinary Team meeting (MDT). This is where the dermatologist, plastic surgeon, oncologist and specialist nurses decide on the next course of action for each patient as per the biopsy results (discharged if benign or further surgery if positive). The hospital then contact the patient to (usually) come back for their results - it's rare they give results by phone or letter. If the hospital didn't give your mum an idea as to the waiting time for her results, I would ring them on Monday and ask if the results are available and when can you expect to hear from them? Sometimes results are delayed because the MDT is only held once a week.

Good luck, I hope you aren't waiting too much longer and that they bring good news. Please let us know how you get on,

Angie (melanoma patient)

Hi, 

Well my first biopsy on my little right toe was negative thank god, however about 7 weeks ago I noticed another lesion on my other little toe but this is about 4mm wide - the one biopsied was just 1mm wide. 
 

I am not again stressed and terrified but trying to think positive that the other one was ok. 
move been referred back to the dermatologist and have an appointment on the 13th Oct, so another long wait for me 

 

Hi Raymond,

Your story is similar to mine I had the line on my left thumb for 3 years, but was going through abdominal pain & never bothered about my thumb. Had my gallbladder removed last year and then my thumb started giving me pain in April. 

Don't painic about the quickness of your appointment coming through it is standard practice for the NHS called the 2 week referral so patients get the appointment in or around the 2 week mark.. 

I had my biopsy done in July, had my thumb nail removed and biopsy done on my nail bed.

I hope your appointment with dermatology goes well. 

Hi Weeirish

I hope the biopsy results have hone/go well. Our stories are eerily similar.

I had my dermatology appointment 2 days ago on Monday - they took a picture with what looked like an ipad (I think it was one) and said someone would contact me within 2 weeks. That is it. I don't think even a dermascopy was used - the person wasn't a dermatologist but an assistant nurse who didn't seem to know much and very little was said.

Oddly my brother, after I told him about this line, found he has one (smaller than mine) so is awaiting a Dr's appointment.  He does not know how long he has had it.

Good luck, thank you for your message and please keep me updated with how things are going.

Take care. 

Good luck everyone on your results and journeys, I will be coming up to 2 years since being diagnosed with stage 3B Acral after having my thumb amputated and a positive sentinel node. I currently have no evidence of disease, stay strong and focused and whatever the results, try stay positive. Wishing you all so much luck, anything you need to know about this type of cancer feel free to ask

Hi Louise,

Good to hear from you, I am so pleased to hear you now have NED. I followed your story since before you were diagnosed as I was just starting out my investigations on what thankfully turned out to be benign. 
I am now awaiting a referral for a second lesion. 

Can I ask how long you had the lesion on your thumb before diagnosis? Was it a line or more a streak? What I find strange is how my new streak wasn't there 3 months ago ( it's on my toe and I didn't re paint my nails for a month yet it was just there!) 

I thought they had to grow all the way up the nail which would take months??

Has anyone else just had it appear or have you noticed it start from the nail bed and grow up? 
 

thanks

sharon 

Hello lovely 

Sorry to hear your going through more investigations. Fingers crossed everything will fine, you know the odds are in your favour! 

I honestly cannot remember how long I had mine, looking back on photos you can see a tiny black speck on my nail and I mean pin ***, quite surreal to see, further photos show a line, the line then disappeared and a bluey black bruise appeared on my nail about half the size of an eraser on the end of pencil. My nail then started crumbling and lifting and a wart like growth started to push my nail up and bled which is when I went back to drs asking for anti bs as my fungal nail was infected lol.

Mine was so small to start it was unnoticeable, its only now when I zoom in on pics and how educated I now am on Acral Melanoma I see the signs. I must have had it at least 2 years and touch wood I have been lucky so far it hasn't spread to organs but I have just completed a years immunotherapy (March) to help tackle any stray cells that may be lurking.

Try not to worry ok, you got this xx

[@louiseandfin]‍ Great to hear you're ned - how often are your check ups now? 

[@Tillybobs123]‍ mine was a line all the way from cuticle to top of nail when it first appeared, but incredibly faint. Over the last year it's got wider and darker, especially near the cuticle.

My checkups are every 3 month a full body CT, every 6 months a brain MRI in between I see plastics every 6 months for wellbeing and skin check, these are at a hospital in Manchester and I see a derm at my local hospital 

That's very good aftercare, thank god for the NHS

Yes indeed, cannot fault them one bit 

Yes indeed, cannot fault them one bit 

Hey Louise,

I'm glad to hear that you are doing okay now after your diagnosis. I just wanted a bit of advice, I stabbed myself with a pin about a year ago and it left a faint black line down my thumb nail from the tip to the cuticle, I spoke to my GP and he told me to keep an eye on it and if see if it grows and he'll send me to a dermatologist, it's stayed the same, however my thumb starting to hurt on that side, it's like cold/numb with pain, could you give me some insight into your experience? 

Hello

My oncologist did say he believes my melanoma was caused by some sort of trauma, however, nobody cam be sure with this type. How long have you had the line? After quite some time mine did start to hurt but my nail started to lift after a year and it looked like a bruise. 

Remember how rare this is, keep an eye on it, and if you are still concerned please go back the gp 

Regards 

Thank you for the reply Louise

I've had it for about a18 months now,  my thumb has started hurting I can't quite tell if it's my thumb itself or the nail, all I know it's on the side with the line and I've done some googling like we all do and scared myself silly, I've read it's prominent in Carribbeans, which I am descended from, I've contacted my gp and they are going to send some photos of to a dermatologist, hopefully I can get some answers and relief the stress.

Hello

If you have had it this long then I would ask your gp to send you for a biopsy, I had to see 4 different GPS before the last one took it seriously. Mine did go red on the side and hurt when you touched it, kind of like a thrombin pain. You need to be your own advocate in this game and unfortunately a lot of GPS don't know much about the warning signs, please keep making appointments until someone takes it seriously. If only to rule it out, please keep me posted x

Hey,

I spoke to my GP, she said that the lines in melanoma are darker than the one I have on my thumb, but she is going to send the photos I sent her off to a dermatologist for a second opinion and it is a throbbing pain that comes and goes, but it's in the side of my thumb 

Hello

Mine was extremely faint, then it disappeared and I had a kind of bruise on my nail at the bottom but no line where it hurt. Just go with your gut, if it doesn't feel right, pursue it x

I'm definitely going to pursue it, I'm just waiting on the dermatologist second opinion, all I can do is just keep an eye on it I guess, will keep you updated x